National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Unification (NSCN-U)

Tamil Nadu

Formation

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Unification (NSCN-U) was formed on November 23, 2007 with an inter-factional ‘truce agreement’ signed between the few cadres and leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland–Khaplang (NSCN-K) at Hovishe under Niuland sub-division in the Dimapur district. The meeting was initiated and chaired by Hokiye, President of the Western Sumi Hoho, an influential body of the Sumi (Sema) tribe. The NSCN-IM was led by ‘Kilo-Kilonser’ (Home Minister) Azheto Chophy and the NSCN-K by ‘Kilonser’ (Cabinet Minister) C. Singson.

The NSCN-IM later rebuffed the agreement and said that it is not a party to the decisions arrived at the meeting. Both ‘chairman’ Isak Chisi Swu and ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah of the IM faction alleged that the Niuland Declaration was made without the knowledge of the group’s ‘higher authority’, and accused Azheto Chophy of defection.

Objective

The NSCN-U aims at unifying the two warring factions of the NSCN.

Leadership, Cadre strength and Arms

The outfit is headed by a ‘core committee’ and Azheto Choppy is its ‘convener’. Khekiye Sumi is its ‘financial kilonser’, Akhoota Choppy its ‘defence kilonser’ and ‘brigadier’ Nikki Sumi its Army chief.

The group has strategic linkages with the NSCN-K. Both outfits, on some occasions, have participated in joint attacks on the NSCN-IM.

Area of Operation

The NSCN-U cadres to begin with were stationed at Vihokhu, 25 kilometres from the commercial township of Dimapur. Most activities of the outfit have been observed in this particular district, except for a handful in the Wokha district.